Vital Signs Chart: Growing National Debt

The national debt is growing. Total public debt outstanding was $16.07 trillion as of the third quarter, up from $15.86 trillion three months earlier. The federal debt is now equivalent to 101.6% of the nation’s gross domestic product, up from 53.5% in early 1990. Not all the federal debt is subject to the nation’s borrowing limit of $16.394 trillion.

This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. Distribution and use of this material are governed by our Subscriber Agreement and by copyright law. For non-personal use or to order multiple copies, please contact Dow Jones Reprints at 1-800-843-0008 or visit www.djreprints.com.